People applying for a marriage license are encouraged to take an eight-hour premarital education course, and course providers must give completion certificates.
Sec. 2.013. PREMARITAL EDUCATION COURSES. (a) Each person applying for a marriage license is encouraged to attend a premarital education course of at least eight hours during the year preceding the date of the application for the license. (b) A premarital education course must include instruction in: (1) conflict management; (2) communication skills; and (3) the key components of a successful marriage. (c) A course under this section should be offered by instructors trained in a skills-based and research-based marriage preparation curricula. The following individuals and organizations may provide courses: (1) marriage educators; (2) clergy or their designees; (3) licensed mental health professionals; (4) faith-based organizations; and (5) community-based organizations. (d) The curricula of a premarital education course must meet the requirements of this section and provide the skills-based and research-based curricula of: (1) the United States Department of Health and Human Services healthy marriage initiative; (2) the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center; (3) criteria developed by the Health and Human Services Commission; or (4) other similar resources. (e) The Health and Human Services Commission shall maintain an Internet website on which individuals and organizations described by Subsection (c) may electronically register with the commission to indicate the skills-based and research-based curriculum in which the registrant is trained. (f) A person who provides a premarital education course shall provide a signed and dated completion certificate to each individual who completes the course. The certificate must include the name of the course, the name of the course provider, and the completion date. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 185, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 327 (H.B. 2685), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2008.